Van Zyl wants to fight for SA middle-order berth

Stiaan van Zyl says, if he has a choice, he will not open the batting again but instead wants to fight for a position in the middle-order of South Africa's Test team.
The left-handed Van Zyl, who had never batted at the top of the order in first-class cricket, was thrust into the Proteas opening berth following the retirements of Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen.
The Cape Cobras batsman did not enjoy good returns though, only scoring 56 runs in five innings in India and 69 runs in four innings against England at home before being replaced by Stephen Cook for the final Test.
The 28-year-old has however not given hope of forcing his way into the Proteas Test side, with positions five and six still possibly up for grabs.
Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers currently bat at three and four respectively while Temba Bavuma has taken his chance to cement his place in the longest format.
JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis will be the men Van Zyl will probably compete with for the final middle-order batting slot, with Duminy showing inconsistent form in the Test arena while Du Plessis was dropped for the final Test against England at home.
Van Zyl told ESPNcricinfo: "I don't think I'll give opening a go again. If opening is the only place then I'll give it a go, but if I have a choice then I'll go in the middle order.
"I'm normally a No. 3 batter but the only opportunity was for me to open when Alviro [Petersen] retired. So I'm a No. 3 and I gave it a go. It didn't work so well, there's not a lot of difference between opening and No. 3.
"But I'll put the opening aside now and try to focus to get into the middle order. If they pick me then I'd like to bat in the middle order.
"No. 6 is a good spot, somewhere there, if there's a gap. But we'll see what happens because there are still good players there in the Test side.
"Maybe there's some players that don't want to play Test cricket anymore so that could open things. So I'm looking to bat in the middle order if I get an opportunity."
South Africa's next assignment in Test cricket will be in August when they host New Zealand in a two-Test series.
Latest
-
News
India salvage unlikely draw in third Test against Australia
Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari put on a defensive masterclass at the SCG.
-
News
Chris Silverwood backs ‘fighter’ Dan Lawrence to make step up to Test cricket
The Essex batsmen is in line for an England Test debut against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
-
News
Ravichandran Ashwin condemns alleged racial abuse of Mohammed Siraj by SCG fans
Play was halted on day four of the third Test between Australia and India while six spectators were escorted out of Sydney Cricket Ground by police.
-
News
Investigation launched after Indian players allegedly abused by crowd in Sydney
Play was held up while police and security guards escorted six people from Sydney Cricket Ground.
-
News
Jos Buttler determined to keep standards high with gloves and bat in Sri Lanka
The 30-year-old has Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow for competition in the England side.
-
News
England’s Dom Bess thinks pitch for Friday’s warm-up won’t be repeated in series
England finally took to the pitch in Hambantota for a low-key workout between Team Root and Team Buttler.
-
News
Proteas name Test squad for Pakistan tour
South Africa have named a 21-man touring party for the two-Test series in Pakistan.
-
News
Smith makes distinction between out of runs and out of form
Steve Smith put paid to the suggestion he was out of form with a fighting hundred against India.
-
News
England warm-up under way in Sri Lanka
The touring squad has returned a second round of clear Covid-19 tests following Moeen Ali’s positive result.
-
News
Jack Leach awaiting Covid vaccine news after ‘scary’ vulnerable classification
The England spinner takes medication for Crohn’s disease, leaving his immune system weakened.